What do you do if you think you are dumb and your friend thinks he is dumb but your friend doesn't want to be dumb any more?

It must feel painful to you and your friend to think you are 'dumb'. Unfortunately, too many kids feel that because of the way they are treated by parents, family, teachers, and classmates. Teasing and bullying can make a person feel like they must be "the dumbest person".

But, has anyone ever told you and your friend that EVERY person has knowledge and talents? One classmate might be superb with math, and another classmate Excels in writing, but there ARE other types of knowledge. For example, many boys (and girls!) are interested in and learn how to take apart engines and put the parts back together. A student may be great in art class, but not in reading. Another student might Excel in woodworking, but fails science class.

Even though school is designed around lesson plans and earning grades, there are other kinds of knowledge. When you think about yourself, what are the things you enjoy and are really good at? Some kids are good helping people; some enjoy organizing objects (like librarians do in their jobs), while other people like to "study" one particular topic (for example, butterflies). When you realize what you enjoy most, you will also know that you "know" a lot about that subject.

Having a friend who "seems a lot like you" always feels good. But part of friendship is also letting people grow and change. Maybe your friend "doesn't want to be dumb anymore" because he or she has realized he/she does know a lot about something--even if it isn't a school subject. Maybe your friend is tired of being bullied. Maybe your friend has decided to really focus and study hard just to see how much more they might learn.

Don't focus only on grades. Focus on the joy of learning---even just one new thing a day. Maybe you and your friend can meet a couple times a week to study, or read to each other. Make a game of learning--it helps. Remember though, life does not need to be a competition. Do your best. Learn as much as you can in school. Keep your eyes on the future, and get as much as you can out of school now. Support your friend-- you both can help each other a lot.